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General

The hot water consumption depends very much on the user’s requirements and habits. Theoretically it can be easily and effectively minimized without compromising comfort by using water-saving fittings for washstands and shower heads. [1] And here is an extremely high amount of energy in hot water. Just one minute of showering for example requires more energy than is needed for all electronic devices in a household for a whole day. Devices such as the Amphiro with direct feedback help to raise awareness of energy consumption during showering. [2]

Ironically, many people take great care to turn off the light consistently. Only a few of them are aware that they could save a lot more energy if they showered for less time.

The following hot water saving tips can help residents to reduce their consumption. The challenge is to present the tips to the residents unobtrusively and with a lasting effect.

Energy saving tips hot water

Flow limiters and water-saving fittings in general [12]

  • Pay attention to the energy label when purchasing sanitary products. This indicates economical shower heads, fittings or inserts.
  • When choosing showers, fittings or flow limiters, make sure that they guarantee the right flow rates: for A-class appliances, this is between 4 and 6 liters per minute for showers and washbasins.

Showering

The best thing about showering is: No other activity can achieve greater savings through conscious behaviour every day and with such little effort. [1]

  • Shower a little shorter and turn off the water while soaping. [9]
    • About 8 liters of water are used per minute in your shower with the standard installed shower head.
  • When choosing a shower head, it is recommended to replace the existing one with an economy shower head. This can reduce water consumption by up to 50%. The energy consumption is also noticeably lowered. Economy showers also have the advantage of a pleasant, soft water jet.

Washing Machine

  • Fill the washing machine as completely as possible. [3]
    • A new, energy-efficient machine uses approx. 45 liters of water per wash cycle. [4]
  • Wash your laundry at low temperatures (e.g. 20/30°C instead of 40°C; 60°C instead of boil wash). [10]
    • With today’s detergents, normally soiled laundry will be clean even at 20°C and will also be gentle on the fabrics.
  • Save hot water by using the eco program of the dishwasher and washing machine. The dishwasher then usually washes at a temperature of 50°C to 55°C, but the dishes will still be sparkling clean. [5]
    • With the washing machine, the water is heated more slowly. The running time of these programs is longer, but the energy consumption is still lower.

Dishwasher

  • Use the dishwasher and avoid washing dishes under running water. [5]
  • A well-filled dishwasher is more energy-efficient than hand washing. [6]
  • Save hot water by using the eco program of the dishwasher and washing machine. The dishwasher then usually washes at a temperature of 50°C to 55°C, but the dishes will still be sparkling clean. [5]
    • With the washing machine, the water is heated more slowly. The running time of these programs is longer, but the energy consumption is still lower.
  • Do not pre-rinse the dishes for the dishwasher. [5]
    • Modern appliances and efficient detergents can cope with any kind of dirt.

Washing hands

  • Wash your hands with cold water [7]
    • We often turn off the warm water before the warm water even comes out. This way the warm water in the pipe cools down again unused.
  • For washbasins, the installation of flow limiters or water-saving fittings is recommended. Flow limiters are cheap and highly profitable. The amortization period is on average only half a year.

Bathing

  • Take a shower instead of a bath. [3]
    • A bath uses about 150 liters of water, while a shower uses only about 40 liters. [8]

Brushing teeth

  • Do not let the water run while brushing your teeth. [11]
    • Pay attention to the position of the tap and set it so that only cold water is supplied. Otherwise, warm water will be delivered which will cool down in the tap.

References

[1] Balmer, M., Hubbuch, M., & Sandmeier, E. (2020). Energetische Betriebsoptimierung: Gebäude effizienter betreiben (1. Auflage). Fachbuchreihe «Nachhaltiges Bauen und Erneuern». FAKTOR Verlag AG. https://pubdb.bfe.admin.ch/de/publication/download/10042
[2] [https://www.amphiro.chttps://www.co2online.de/energie-sparen/heizenergie-sparen/warmwasser/wasser-sparen-die-10-besten-tipps/#c89967)
[3] https://www.co2online.de/energie-sparen/heizenergie-sparen/warmwasser/wasser-sparen-die-10-besten-tipps/#c89967
[4] https://praxistipps.focus.de/wasserverbrauch-waschmaschine-im-jahr-pro-waschgang_46559
[5] https://www.hausinfo.ch/de/home/gebaeude/energie/spartipps/geschirrspueler.html
[6] https://www.energieschweiz.ch/page/de-ch/geschirrspueler
[7] https://www.energieschweiz.ch/page/de-ch/warmwasser
[8] https://www.20min.ch/story/ist-duschen-wirklich-sparsamer-als-baden-613685690167
[9] https://www.wetzikon.ch/verwaltung/bau-planung/tiefbau/stadtentwaesserung/tipps-und-tricks
[10] https://www.mieterverband.ch/mv/politik-positionen/news/2016/waschen-mit-kaltem-Wasser.html
[11] https://www.polarstern-energie.de/magazin/artikel/8-tipps-so-sparst-du-warmwasser/#tipp1-warm-duschen
[12] Energie Schweiz, Bundesamt für Energie. (2012). Der Heizkompass: für Hauswartinnen und Hauswarte.https://pubdb.bfe.admin.ch/de/publication/download/340